Life Of Jason

It’s 6:30 on a Monday Night….llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllet’s get ready to rumble!

Actually, tonight’s agenda seems to be fairly tame and it could be another short night. We’ll have to wait and see!

6:35pm…Councilman Wylie arrives to join Councilman Manley and Councilman Whayne.

6:41pm…Citizens start trickling in at a higher rate than last time so perhaps there will be some hot button issues tonight. Local activist Tom Martz arrives.

6:46pm…I pass Mayor Carlson and Councilwoman Collette having a friendly discussion with some citizens in the corridor outside the council chambers.

6:47pm…Now, I’m worried that we’re going to have a long meeting. Councilman Dan Chiles’ tie tonight is much more subdued than usual.

6.49pm…Mayor Carlson and Mayor Pro-Tem Deaver arrive and take their seats.

(On a side note, Councilman Manley just came over to shake hands and he has a brave face on. Still, you can tell he’s a little worn out and that’s to be expected. My prayers are still with him and his family during this time and I would hope if you’re the praying kind you could see fit to keep him and his family in your prayers.)

6:53pm…Councilman Chiles stops to chat with the press table and we discuss the conflict of interest situation. One thing all of agreed upon is that this isn’t a simple situation and likely won’t have a simple solution.

6:58pm…Councilman Collette takes her seat and fires up her Mac laptop. Councilwoman Rushefsky rushes in and takes her seat.

6:59pm…Councilman Burlison arrives sans tie.

7:00pm…The press table is making various jokes about the “new McAlister’s Drive Thru.”

7:02pm…Mayor Carlson calls the meeting to order. The Council chambers are almost completely full. A large group of students from Missouri State University is here observing the meeting.

7:04pm…Minutes of March 10th is approved on a unanimous voice vote.

7:05pm…Councilman Burlison asks to have Council Bill 2008-083 moved off the consent agenda. The rest of the consent agenda passes unanimously.

7:06pm…City Clerk Brenda Cirtin tells Council members that city staff has asked that Council Bill 2008-056 be tabled.

7:07pm…Mayor Carlson tells the people in attendance that the News-Leader had left off a part of his notice regarding the public comment on the budget process and that it was not this Monday night but one week from tonight. The Mayor asked people to return next Monday night if they could make it but if they could not do it they can speak tonight. He reminded people if they speak tonight they cannot speak one week from tonight at the meeting. The Mayor apologized for the misprint in the newspaper.

If anyone would like to address the Council about the budget they can do so next Monday night at 6:30 at the Council chambers in City Hall. Everyone will get five minutes to address the Council as per usual City Council meeting rules. You can also comment on the website.

7:10pm…City Manager Bob Cumley answers questions from the previous meeting. He spoke about fire fighters who assisted on a water rescue and commended the firefighters on their efforts. (Editorial note: Our firefighters are great folks and deserve props for their outstanding job during the flooding.) City Manager Cumley said the flood plain acquisition plan of the 90s helped reduce the damage from the flooding during the recent storm.

7:13pm…Mayor Carlson spoke about the foreclosure and mortgage crisis conference that was hosted by Senator Kit Bond. He said that one of the issues raised was that 40% of the people who had their homes foreclosed never even opened up their delinquency notices. He said that many banks are willing to work with homeowners to try and find a way to let them keep their home. The Mayor called on his experience as a lawyer and said that if homeowners are proactive it can make a big difference between keeping your home and getting foreclosed.

“If you know somebody who might be having those troubles you should tell them there are programs that will help them if they’re proactive,” Mayor Carlson said.

Councilman Whayne who attended the same conference said the main concern is “don’t ignore the issue.”

7:17pm…Council Bill 2008-078. A general ordinance amending the Springfield City Code, Chapter 1, Section 1-9, City limits, by annexing approximately 3.85 acres of private property contiguous with the existing City limits, located generally at 3536 East Sunshine Street. This is an “island” of county land completely surrounded by the city limits and already all city services reach that land. Will be voted on in two weeks.

7:18pm…Council Bill 2008-073. (Manley)A special ordinance approving the plans and specifications for the Scenic Avenue Force Main Extension; authorizing award of the construction contract for the project to Rosetta Construction, LLC; and amending the budget for the City of Springfield, Missouri. This is replacement of a force main along Scenic from Battlefield to Republic Road. Rosetta Construction, LLC is a local contractor. Proposal was 10.5% below the engineer’s estimate.

Councilwoman Collette asked if funds come out of general funds. Staff responded this came out of the sewer fund.

7:20pm…A representative of the company from Poplar Bluff that did not receive the bid rose to spoke. He claims that he was told Public Works was going to recommend the local firm because of an ordinance that gives preference to local firms in bidding. The representative said he asked how often that ordinance had been used and was told this was the first time. He said that the City of Springfield could no longer receive bids on future projects because “once the word gets out it’s not fair to outside contractors” because of the local preference ordinance. He said that he would have bought local materials and put money into the local economy.

7:24pm…Councilwoman Rushefsky asked if there was a difference between the two companies other than location. Public Works responded the proposals were essentially the same other than location. Councilwoman Rushefsky asked the gentleman who spoke what percentage of his crew would have been local and he said they would bring 6-8 crew plus 2-3 supervisors and the rest would be local. Voted on in two weeks.

7:25pm…Council Bill 2008-079. A special ordinance amending the 2007-2008 Parks Department Budget for the City of Springfield, Missouri, in the amount of $1,377,000.00, appropriated from the ¼ Cent Sales Tax Fund for capital projects and development. City Manager Cumley said this money arrived after the budget for the year was received.

Councilwoman Rushefsky asked if this effects the current budget proposal and asked if this funds projects already approved. Staff responds yes. Voted on in two weeks.

7:27pm…Council Bill 2008-080. A special ordinance amending and approving the Commercial Street Tax Increment Financing Plan, establishing a redevelopment area, designating the redevelopment area as a blighted area, making other required findings for the redevelopment plan, and directing staff to implement the redevelopment plan.

The TIF plan will call for 100% of property tax increment, 50% of sales tax increment and all Taxing Districts continue to receive current taxes.

Mike MacPherson, speaking about the TIF, spoke of the numerous surveys and public meetings that were held to discuss this matter before it was brought to Council.

Among the goals are creating opportunities to fund public improvements, incentives for private investment, create new jobs, encourage investment in historic properties and provide additional revenues. MacPherson said that the area is blighted because of an ineffective street layout that hampers economic development due to lack of ingress and egress, unsanitary and unsafe conditions in various buildings that create an economic and social liability.

“These problems feed on themselves and it makes a slow growth process without something,” MacPherson said.

The Redevelopment Strategy calls for public investment using TIF revenues and that private investment would bring other private financing for projects in the area.

After 23 years (and the end of the TIF), estimated value of property would be just over $9 million more than today ($12 million from $3 million) and that a sales tax increase of just over $327,000 will occur as well.

The total private and public costs would be just over $7 million.

They want the streetscape to let people know when they arrive in that area that they’re in the TIF district. Lighting and other street improvement would be the bulk of the public money.

“We will use no eminent domain within the process of this TIF program,” MacPherson told the Council.

The key points raised: No Bonds will be issued; No Eminent Domain; Property owners, business owners and residents meet annually to recommend project priorities and City Council approves annual project priorities.

7:41pm…Councilman Wylie said there were federal and state statutes we operate under that says this kind of program is needed. “It seems like Commercial Street goes start, stop, start, stop,” Wylie said. “While there have been some improvements made but there are many other improvements that need to be made.” He said it’s an area that needs to be redeveloped and can be redeveloped. He compared it to a landlord that doesn’t take care of their property and becomes a slum lord.

“The public portion of this is in our hands,” Wylie said. He said if the landlord doesn’t take care of the part they’re responsible for you won’t get good tenants and you won’t get a good result from the investments.

MacPherson replied that redevelopment activity has been occurring but not at a rate fast enough to reach critical mass to sustain development and the hope is the TIF district will increase the speed of development.

Councilman Deaver spoke as the Council rep on the TIF commission. He said that those most effected by a TIF…libraries, schools, Greene County…felt this would bring benefits to them over the long run and are in favor of this proposal. He said when he came on Council he was skeptical of streetscape making a difference but that he saw the results of how streetscape led to businesses moving in almost instantly in some areas of the city. He made it clear that it doesn’t raise any taxes on the citizens.

MacPherson said all taxes in that district are kept within in that district during the TIF time. (Essentially it makes it like a tax island…the revenue doesn’t go to help the rest of the city but only that one area.)

Councilman Deaver gave some recognition of Shawn Askinosie and Askinosie Chocolate for their work in that area.

7:49pm…Councilwoman Collette recused herself from the discussion and the vote. Councilman Manley said that he would like to see it restored to more of what north side neighborhoods used to be and he hopes that a lot of bars don’t move into that part of town.

“You know what you get when you get a bunch of bars,” Councilman Manley. He went on to say he would like to make it a family-oriented business street.

MacPherson said it’s promoted as an arts and entertainment district and promoted Big Momma’s Espresso Bar and how they host live music without alcohol. He said that anyone who opens a bar in that area would face more stringent rules being in that area.

Councilman Chiles commended Mr. MacPherson on all his work. He asked about the green building policy that was adopted by the Council and whether it would be appropriate for the group of citizens involved in this TIF to join with other cities to see how this can be made sustainable. MacPherson said that some of their staff is involved with the LEED process for green buildings. Councilman Chiles asked what the impact would be on surrounding neighborhoods. The answer was there would be ancillary benefits to surrounding neighborhoods.

Councilman Burlison asked what the state law enables them to do for the types of development areas and could other options have been considered instead of this option. The answer was that they went with the blighted area description best fits the situation in the proposed district. Councilman Burlison asked if when we declare an area blighted if it has an impact on assessed property values. The answer was to look at what happened to center city downtown and that it’s been blighted for almost twenty years. Councilman Burlison asked about the annual meetings and asked what the procedure was for who would be invited. The answer was that all residents, business and property owners.

Councilwoman Rushesfky asked about relocation assistance and how many residents of the area would be relocated. The answer was the plan is not to relocate anyone but that it is in the TIF plan because it’s required by statutes. “This document we’re looking at today that we may have to vote on…does this document authorize expenditure of funds or sell bonds without future Council action?” she asked. The answer was that nothing is done without Council’s approval.

8:00pm…Rusty Worley of Urban Districts Alliance spoke about the TIF. He said that there is already a “spill-over” into the surrounding neighborhoods from the Commercial Street area. “We’ve seen the momentum start.” He said they need this tool to help sustain momentum in that area. Councilman Whayne wanted to make a comment to Mr. Worley about the new businesses and asked if it doesn’t enhance existing business. Mr. Worley said that it does because it grows the economy because it makes Commercial Street a destination.

“The whole point of this project has been to clean up Commercial Street,” Councilman Whayne said and that he felt that has been accomplished and thanked Mr. Worley for his hard work.

8:01pm…The owner of Professional Massage Training Center spoke about the situation on Commercial Street and how their business has boomed because of the improvements on Commercial Street. She said they brought in a million dollars in revenue without advertising and she “didn’t know how many businesses in Springfield could say that.” She said they are looking at starting a spa training facility on Commercial Street. She said their new building would be a green building and that it “benefits the massage industry to do things as green as possible.” Councilman Wylie raved about the business and thanked them for being willing to stay and grow on Commercial Street.

Councilman Burlison asked whether as a business owner if there was any part of the proposal that bothered her and the answer was no.

8:08pm…Carl Herd spoke on the matter. “I’m naive enough that you might possibly want to listen to what I have to say. It’s 3 AM and there’s a budget crisis that is effecting the police and fire pension.” He went on to talk about how this TIF takes funds away from the police and fire pension plan. He held up a pancake and said there was no pancake too thin that it didn’t have two sides. He said to look at the yes side first and that there isn’t anything really bad about the project. He said that the “public bathrooms should be the first priority because the homeless sleeping in cars wouldn’t have to pee in bottles anymore.”

He said the no side has several reasons against the TIF. “The biggest loser is the Springfield R-12 schools.” (They signed off on the proposal.) He talked about how the school is facing a budget crunch. He then said that 61 cents of every $100 of assessed value is being taken from general revenue “and as far as I’m concerned that’s taking money from the police and fire department.”

Then he said the Jordan Valley TIF has only produced $118,000 and it hasn’t matched what was sold in bonds. Mr. Herd said not to sell bonds (Editorial Note: It was said in the presentation they wouldn’t be selling bonds as part of the TIF.) He asked how much money was being spent by the city to convince people to do the TIF. He brought up the container issue.

“The main reason to say no is to put police and fire pension as your number priority and that Commercial Street will succeed on it’s own.” (Editorial Note: if that was the case, wouldn’t it be already?)

8:15pm…Council Bills 2008-083. A special ordinance authorizing the City Manager, or his designee, on behalf of the City of Springfield, to enter into an agreement with Midwest Environmental Consultants for the purpose of installing and maintaining two monitoring wells on public right-of-way to monitor groundwater conditions. Councilman Burlison asked to have this moved from the consent agenda to clear up funding for it and there is no cost to the city. Vote in two weeks.

8:16pm…Council Bill 2008-081. A resolution approving the proposal from the vendor, Arcus Public, to conduct the search for the next Springfield City Manager. City Clerk Cirtin asked if this could be done as a first reading bill instead of resolution to combine with the later second reading bill and vote on the budget to pay for the city manager search. The Mayor said since no one was to speak on the issue the debate would be postponed until later in the meeting.

8:18pm…Council Bill 2008-067. A general ordinance amending the Land Development Code, Article I, Zoning Ordinance, Division IV, Sections 4-3100 and 4-3200 by adding veterinary clinics, animal hospitals, pet daycare services, and pet grooming facilities with supervised outside activities as a permitted use within the GR, General Retail District, and HC, Highway Commercial District. Passes 9-0.

8:19pm…Council Bill 2008-068. A general ordinance amending the Springfield Land Development Code, Section 1-1600, Zoning Maps, by rezoning approximately 3.5 acres of land generally located on the east side of the 4600 block of South National Avenue, more particularly described in this ordinance, from an R-SF, Single-Family Residential District, to an O-1, Office District, subject to conditions. Passes 9-0.

Council Bill 2008-069. A general ordinance amending the Springfield Land Development Code, Section 1-1600, Zoning Maps, by rezoning approximately 3.89 acres of land generally located at 3103 and 3107 East Chestnut Expressway, more particularly described in this ordinance, from an HM, Heavy Manufacturing District, to an IC, Industrial Commercial District, subject to conditions. Passes 9-0.

8:20pm…Council Bill 2008-070. A general ordinance amending the Springfield Land Development Code, Section 1-1600, Zoning Maps, by rezoning approximately 6.08 acres of land generally located at 3904 and 3936 West Maple Street, more particularly described in this ordinance, from an R-TH, Residential Townhouse District, and an R-MD, Medium-Density Multi-Family Residential District, to an R-TH, Residential Townhouse District, and an R-MD, Medium-Density Multi-Family Residential District. Passes 9-0.

8:21pm…Council Bill 2008-071. A special ordinance authorizing the City Manager, or his designee, to accept a proposal for the purpose of hiring an executive search firm for the selection of a new City Manager and amending the 2007-2008 budget for the Department of the City Manager. Councilman Burlison asked City Manager Cumley where the funds would be coming and the answer was general funds.

Councilman Chiles complimented Mayor Pro Tem Deaver for his efforts on this committee and organizing meetings and getting feedback from the citizens.  Councilman Deaver thanked Councilman Chiles for his compliments and said this search firm is on it’s way to being the premier search firm in the country.  He said that he didn’t anticipate the entire budget allotment would be needed for this search.

Councilwoman Collette echoed Councilman Chiles’ comments and complimented other Council members for their efforts with the Committee.  She asked Mayor Pro Tem Deaver to explain a little bit about the process especially the community involvement.  Mayor Pro Tem said that they’re entering the second phase of the process.  He said that he and Councilman Wylie have met with almost all city staff about what they would like to see in the next City Manager.  He said they’ve had public hearings all over the city with different groups of citizens to give input in the characteristics they should be searching for in the next manager.

He said the search firm is ready to go to work tomorrow and will be coming to town to meet with public groups about the process.  Councilman Whayne asked where the firm was based and Mayor Pro Tem said they’re based in Pennsylvania but they’re all over the country doing searches.   Passes 9-0 and Council Bill 2008-081 passes 9-0.  Mayor Carlson leaves the chamber and Mayor Pro Tem Deaver takes the chair for the meeting.

8:26pm…Bob Mundy wants to speak to Council.  He said city employees salary totals over $93 million dollars.  He said that he spoke to Mayor Pro Tem Deaver and that he said he would only be about $40,000 and by his numbers even if you took the half the staff and cut ten percent it would be around $4.7 million.  Mayor Pro Tem Deaver said that when Mr. Mundy spoke to him that he only mentioned department heads and not the entire staff.  Mr. Mundy dismissed him and said that’s not what was said to him.  Mayor Carlson returns as Mr. Mundy is wrapping up his comments and thanks him for attending.

8:30pm…New Business: The Mayor recommends the following reappointments to the Traffic Advisory Board: Carl Boswell, Thomas Whitson, and Robert Jones with terms to expire April 1, 2011, Refer to the Plans and Policies Committee the review of the Sign Ordinance, Financial Statements for January 2008, As per RSMo. 109.230 (4), City records that are on file in the City Clerk’s office and have met the retention schedule will be destroyed in compliance with the guidelines established by the Secretary of State’s office.

8:31pm…Councilwoman Rushefsky makes a motion to move to closed session.  Councilman Manley seconds the vote and it passes unanimously on a voice vote.  The public meeting is adjourned.